Blood Film 2
Eosinophil
Eosinophilia can be seen in MPD but has a number of other causes including allergy, parasitic infection, autoimmune disease including inflammatory bowel disease, solid organ malignancy and lymphomas particularly Hodgkin's and T cell lymphomas.
Basophil
True basophilia is rare and specific for Myeloproliferative disorders. The automated counter is not always accurate with basophils and a blood film must be used to confirm basophilia.
Giant platelet
Platelets tend to be normal size in reactive thrombocytosis but giant forms are seen in Myeloproliferative disorders.
Lymphocyte
Typically normal in MPD. Profound lymphopenia or a marked lymphocytosis may be seen in lymphoma.
Howell-Jolly body
A DNA remnant of the red cell nucleus normally removed by the spleen. Their presence is significant as it indicates either a splenectomy or functional hyposplenism. This can be seen in Coeliac disease or infiltration of the spleen by amyloid or usually solid organ malignancy (rare in lymphoma).
Neutrophil
Neutrophilia is non-specific. Toxic granulation (deep purple granules) is a feature seen on the blood film in acute infection. Very rarely a micro-organism (e.g. pneumococcus or meningococcus) may be seen inside the neutrophil on the blood film!
